South Island: Days Four and Five

Yesterday we got to sleep in, took our time getting ready for the day then headed from Kingston, where we are staying, to Queenstown. The kids wanted to luge so that’s what we did. We took the gondola up the mountain, then the ski lift to the luge launching area. What fun!!! Graham and Nani road down with us the first couple of times then Nani was ready to go it alone. Graham preferred riding with someone else because it took some strength to pull back on the handle bar to brake. The views over the lake and Queenstown from the lift were awesome!!! After our last trip down the luge track we purchased some of the photos that are shot as you ride up the lift and down the luge. As we walked up to gather together for our walk to the truck, I heard a familiar accent and began chatting with a couple (Ralph and Lynn) from Ohio who were there with their 4 kids. They had come to NZ to scout it out as Ralph has a job offer in Timaru, the town where we stayed at the Longview B&B.  I called Billy over and we were able to share our experiences and insight with them. I gave them our contact info, including our blog, so that they could keep in touch and have a resource here. I’m anxious to hear what they decide. I pray for them clear guidance in their decision and smooth transitions to wherever they should chose to go.  Funny thing is, we unknowingly lived closer to them when we lived in KY than we would if they were to move to Timaru.

Billy took the four younger kids and went to the grocery store before returning to our bach (pronounced “batch” and means a holiday house). Mikaylie and I went shopping in Queenstown!!! We caught all the ski wear sales since ski season is over here so we picked up some ski pants and other gear we’ll be using in winters to come. We had a wonderful dinner of seafood chowder and salads then walked around the pier area at Queenstown Bay before having divine desserts of crème brulee and berry cheesecake! Finally we went back to the Fat Badger for a short wifi time before they closed and Billy came for us. Fun night for Mik and me!!!

Today Billy’s conference started so the kids and I had a lazy day at the bach.  Kingston is situated at the end of Lake Wakatipu and its main claim to fame is the Kingston Flyer, a restored vintage steam train with several coaches. Sadly for Graham, the train lover of the family, the train rides don’t start until November. The train is, however, parked a short walk away so hopefully we can stroll over there tomorrow. Two things kept us away today: 1) Graham seems to have a stomach bug and has spent the day puny and in the toilet and 2) a nice rainstorm kept us indoors this afternoon and brought in some chilly weather.  I say a nice rainstorm because the bach’s water supply is solely rainwater! When we arrived at the bach we all had a good laugh at the sticker on the shower reading, “Conserve tank water: max 3 minute shower”.  So the rain was a good thing. Even 3 minute showers for a family of 7 uses significant water, not to mention the laundry we’re washing.

 I did get my run in but I’m thinking the altitude must be having an effect on me because I struggled to breathe this morning. I had to walk off and on. I returned from my run to find Brylie, Will and Nani at the park. We walked to the lake’s edge and played on the rocky shore. The rocks are different than any rocks I’ve ever seen; so pretty, with layers and striations. Mom would be in heaven!

The rest of the day was spent lazing around the bach, watching the telly and waiting for Billy to return with dinner. Tomorrow, provided the bug doesn’t migrate to another poor soul, we’ll do something more exciting…